About Us
In 1989, I began my journey with smooth coat chihuahuas by purchasing my first pet chihuahua from my neighbor, Dorothy Johnston in Hamilton, New Zealand. Through her, I met Shona Doecke of Alvarez Kennels and bought several smooth coats, including the top-winning dog of his time, CH Alvarez Golden Bandit, a long coat. In the same year, I bred my first litter, which produced my first champion, CH Salinacruz Macho Max.
In 1994, CH Alvarez Final Edition, one of Shona's smooth coats, won Best in Show at the Auckland Chihuahua Club championship show under judge Phyllis Harris of Donreo Chihuahuas in Australia. The following year, my smooth coat, CH Salinacruz Snow White, took Best in Show at the Auckland Chihuahua Club championship show under Australian judge Bill Stevenson. She became my top smooth coat bitch, winning my first-ever Best in Show at the Heretaunga Plains Toy Dog championship show in the 90s, as well as several In Show wins, a Best of Group at an all breeds championship show, and Best Bitch at the New Zealand Kennel Club National Dog Show three years in a row.
I imported Peejaymini Royal Razmtaz from Peter Minney in Australia, who won several Best of Groups and three consecutive Best of Breed wins at the New Zealand Kennel Club National Dog Show. Raz and Snow White produced CH Salinacruz Suzy Wong, who won Best of Group at the New Zealand Kennel Club National Dog Show in 1998.
In the same year, I imported Flickan Flame Sprite, a long coat from the UK, who became a New Zealand champion and won Best of Breed at the New Zealand Kennel Club National Dog Show. I exported two bitches to Phillip Liebenberg in South Africa, one of which became one of the top-winning chihuahuas in that country.
I purchased CH. Arrendene Razzle Dazzle from England and mated her to Raz, producing AUST & NZ CH Salinacruz Superman, who became one of the top show dogs in Australia and won Runner-Up Best of Group at the Sydney Royal of 2003. I imported one of his progeny, AUST CH & NZ GR CH K Finch Only T Best, aka "Jacko", who became New Zealand's first and only grand champion chihuahua.
I have exported two bitches to Mike Philip in America, both of which have become American champions. AM CH & NZ CH Salinacruz She's The Best won Best of Breed at the NZKC National Dog Show in 2004 at only eleven months of age, and AM CH & NZ CH Salinacruz Drama Queen won Best in Show at the Dominion Chihuahua Club Show in Christchurch in 2008. I also exported a dog and a bitch to Fred Veldman in South Africa, both of which became South African champions, with one winning Best in Show and Best of Group in 2010.
Currently, I am showing AM CH, CAN CH, AUST CH & NZ CH Daggot's Well-Cut Tanzanite (Imp USA) out of AM CH & NZ CH Salinacruz She's The Best, who has been the top winning smooth coat for 2009-2010, winning Best of Breed at both the NZKC National Dog Show and the Sydney Royal in 2009.
Salinacruz Kennels is committed to producing high-quality show dogs that can earn their titles worldwide. Our dogs have become champions in South Africa, America, Australia, and over 35 New Zealand champions. You can find most of our champions listed on our "Champions" page, while individual dog pages showcase their numerous accomplishments. We invite you to take a closer look at Salinacruz, both past and present, and we hope you enjoy the experience.
Yvonne Tester